Grain moisturizer

ABSTRACT

A portable device is described for adding water at a predetermined rate to the hopper of a conventional, portable grain auger or elevator whereby the moisture content of the grain is increased by a desired amount as the grain is moved from storage to a predetermined location. In one embodiment a gravity feed is described whereby water from a tank flows from an outlet therein into the hopper. The water level in the tank is maintained constant by a float valve at the tank inlet controlling ingress therethrough from a source of water under pressure, the flow rate being determined by the area of a fluid passage in a flow controller positioned in the outlet. In an alternative embodiment a variable speed, motor-driven pump is utilized to supply water from the water source at a constant rate to the hopper, the rate of flow being determined by the speed of the motor. In both embodiments the magnitude of the increase in moisture is determined by the rate of flow of water into the hopper which in turn is proportional to the capacity of the grain elevator or auger used to convey the grain from the hopper.

United States Patent [191 Rogge [52] US. Cl 134/56 R, 99/536, 222/56[51] Int. Cl B02b 1/04 [58] Field of Search 134/25 R, 56 R, 65, 68,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,155,977 10/1915 Vernon99/536 X 1,382,981 6/1921 lverson 134/132 X 2,016,920 10/1935 Fisher eta1. 134/57 R X 2,120,437 6/1938 Feese 99/536 2,397,959 4/1946 Gephart134/131 3,144,029 8/1964 Strandberg. 134/25 R X 3,186,598 6/1965 Jonsson222/57 3,734,777 5/1973 Bratschitsch 134/132 Primary Examiner-DanielBlum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-LeBlanc & Shur [111 3,817,261 June 18,1974 [57] ABSTRACT A portable device is described for adding water at apredetermined rate to the hopper of a conventional, portable grain augeror elevator whereby the moisture content of the grain is increased by adesired amount as the grain is moved from storage to a predeterminedlocation. in one embodiment a gravity feed is described whereby waterfrom a tank flows from an outlet therein into the hopper. The waterlevel in the tank is maintained constant by a float valve at the tankinlet controlling ingress therethrough from a source of water underpressure, the flow rate being determined by the area of a fluid passagein a flow controller positioned in the outlet. In an alternativeembodiment a variable speed, motor-driven pump is utilized to supplywater from the water source: at a constant rate to the hopper, the rateof flow being determined by the speed of the motor. In both embodimentsthe magnitude of the increase in moisture is determined by the rate offlow of water into the hopper which in turn is proportional to thecapacity of the grain elevator or auger used to convey the grain fromthe hopper 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 GRAIN MOISTURIZER Thisinvention relates to a grain moisturizer and particularly to a portabledevice which may be used in conjunction with a conventional portablegrain elevator or auger to add moisture to feed grain preferably as itis moved from a storage bin.

Following harvest, feed grains are frequently stored for extendedperiods of time before being moved to a commercial elevator or used forfeed. The grain is normally stored in farm bins situated in closeproximity to the field or to feed lots, or both. A motor-driven,portable elevator or auger is normally used to move the. grain eitherinto a bin or from a bin into a vehicle.

Portable elevators or augers for moving or conveying grain are wellknown and many types are commercially available. With most such devicesthe grain is fed into a hopper located on the ground and conveyed by theelevator or auger from the hopper into a bin or a vehicle. A grain augermay be described as a motor driven screw conveyor enclosed within acylindrical housing. A portable grain elevator, on the other hand,utilizes individual scoops mounted on a linked metal belt disposedwithin a substantially U-shaped housing. The belt is also motor driven.

Following harvest the grain may be stored on the farm, depending uponthe individual farmers needs, for up to from three to four years. Aswill be obvious, during storage the grain dries substantially. Forexample, grain may be harvested with a moisture content, depending onatmospheric conditions, of from to 14 percent or more. However, afterstorage for 3 or 4 years, this content may fall to 6 percent or less.

If the stored grain is intended for feed, a low moisture content ishighly undesirable. Dry grain is less palatable, and therefore lessdigestable. Accordingly feed grain having a low moisture content willproduce a smaller weight gain than grain having a higher moisturecontent.

More importantly, however, if the grain is intended for sale to acommercial elevator, a low moisture content will lower the farmersreturn from the sale. For example, as a general rule thepricepaidforfeed grain by a commercial elevator is based on the actual weightthereof. But, if the grain contains over the maximum specified moisture,a penalty of one cent per bushel for each one quarter percent excess isexacted. However, if the grain has less than the maximum moisturecontent, a corresponding credit is not allowed, and the sale price isdetermined by the actual weight at the time of delivery.

Therefore, from an economic standpoint, it is important to market orfeed grain having nearly the maximum moisture content. To do so,however, the moisture content must be accurately measured, and then aprecise quantity of water must be added to the stored grain at or nearthe time the grain is to be fed or transported for sale.

Many procedures are known for evaluating the moisture content of a grainsample. For example, the sample may be weighed, heated to drive off themoisture, and then reweighed to establish a dry weight value. The changein weight for the sample divided by the sample weight, multiplied by100, will be equal to the percent moisture content.

Another well known method for evaluating the moisture content is basedon a measurement of the electri' cal conductivity of the grain sample.This conductivity may then be compared with known values. For example,the measured conductivity of an unknown sample may be used to find itsmoisture content on a graph plotting moisture content versusconductivity.

Many devices are available commercially for measuring the moisturecontent according to these and other well known principles.

It will be apparent that when the moisture content and the weight of thegrain are known, the latter being determined by the capacity of the binand the density of the grain, the quantity of water to be added may beeasily calculated. However, while the quantity of water to be added maybe calculated without difficulty, a satisfactory device for moisturizingstored grain has not been known prior to the instant invention. Forexample, water may not be sprayed into the bin on top of the grainbecause the grain will swell and possibly rupture the bin.

Devices are known for use in large commercial grain elevators, mills,and the like, whereby a controlled amount of moisture is mixed withgrain as it passes through a conveyor. See, for example, British Pats.Nos. 226,103; 377,343; and 489,537. These devices, however, are suitableonly for large, permanent installations and are not adaptable for use onsmall to medium sized farms with portable grain augers or elevators.

It has been discovered, however, that, as will be here inafterdescribed, water may be added at a controlled rate to the hopper of aportable grain auger or elevator, and thereby used toraise the moisturecontent as the grain is moved from storage. Commercial, portable grainaugers or elevators have standard capacities ranging of from, forexample, 500 up to 1,500 bushels per hour, depending on the size, or inthe case of elevators, the angle and length thereof. Therefore, if wateris added at a preselected rate to the hopper, based on the flow rate ofthe grain from the hopper, the moisture content of the grain will beraised a uniform amount. Furthermore, by matching the flow rate of thewater and the capacity of the grain conveying device, it is unnecessaryto further calculate the total volume of water needed.

In other words, when the capacity of the auger or elevator is known,aportable device for adding water at a controlled rate may be usedwithout regard to the ac- .tual quantity of grain to be moved or thevolume of water needed. Once a user determines the percent moisture tobe added, the flow rate will be determined and a device according tothis invention may be set to delivery the desired rate of flow to thehopper until the grain has been moved from storage, through the hopperand subsequently through the conveyor.

A preferred version of this invention uses a gravity feed to the hopperfrom a tank having a constant water level therein. Water flows from thetank to the hopper through a narrow or constricted fluid passage in thetank outlet, and the flow rate from the tank, given a constant waterlevel therein, will be determined by the flow characteristics of thepassage. The tank may be continually fed from a reservoir with,preferably, a float valve being used to maintain a constant water leveltherein. The flow controller at the outlet may be merely a flat platehaving an axial orifice of a predetermined area. The plate may thenmerely cover the tank outlet. The size of the orifice in the plate willdetermine the flow rate, and alternate plates having different sizedorifices may be furnished for varying the flow rate from the tank to thehopper depending upon the amount of moisture to be added.

As an alternative to gravity feed, a conventional pump may be providedwhereby the pump will deliver the desired constant flow of water to thehopper. Although a variety of different types of pumps may be utilizedwithin the scope of this invention, a motor driven centrifugal pump ispreferred for delivering water at a preselected flow rate. The flow ratethereby will be governed primarily by the speed of the impeller. Anywell known commercially available pump may be adapted for use hereinprovided the pump is capable of delivering the desired flow rate ofwater. In addition, the rate of flow from the pump may be varied asdesired by using, for example, a rheostat to control the revolutions perminute of the motor, and therefore the speed of the pump impeller.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensiveand eflicient, portable device for moisturizing grain.

It is another object of this invention to provide a portable grainmoisturizer for use with a portable grain auger or elevator to raise themoisture content of grain being moved thereby a predetermined amount.

It is another object to provide a gravity feed device for delivery ofwater at a predetermined rate to the hopper of a grain auger or elevatorwherein the rate of flow of the water may be easily increased ordecreased a predetermined amount.

It is another object to provide a portable grain moisturizer adaptablefor use with a wide variety of portable grain augers or elevatorswhereby water may be added by a gravity flow from a reservoir having aconstant water level therein through a flow controller in the reservoiroutlet.

It is yet a further object to provide a portable grain moisturizer foruse with a wide variety of portable grain augers or elevators wherebywater is delivered at a predetermined rate to the hopper thereof bygravity flow from a reservoir through an orifice having a predeterminedarea.

These and other objects will become readily apparent with reference tothe drawings and following description wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation partly in section with parts broken out forthe purposes of illustration of an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the portion of the deviceshown in FIG. 1 partly in section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternate embodiment thereof;and

FIG. 5 is side elevation partly in section of an alternate embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1, a gravity feed device for adding water at apredetermined flow rate to the hopper 12 of a conventional grainelevator 14 is shown. The elevator 14 is of conventional design having alinked belt 16 with individual scoops 18 mounted thereon. Belt 16 ismounted in a housing having a bottom 19 and side walls 20. The upper endof elevator 14 is an exit funnel 22. Belt 16 is motor driven by a chaindrive or belt drive (not shown), and elevator 14 is supported by braces(not shown) at a desired angle. Grain 24 from hopper 12 is conveyed bybelt 26 into the lower end of elevator 14, where it is picked up byscoops l8 conveyed to the upper end of elevator 14, and directedtherefrom through exit funnel 22. Hopper 12 normally is disposed withits base 28 at ground level. Sloping side walls 30 are used to funnelgrain onto belt Hopper 12 may be fed by any conventional means such asby hand scooping or by opening the bin and allowing the grain to falltherein.

The preferred version of the device of this invention includes a tank 32having an inlet 34 and an outlet 36. A constant water level ismaintained in tank 32 by, for example, a float valve 38 at the inlet 34.The reservoir 40 containing a large quantity of water may be provided,and a conduit 42 may be used to permit water to flow from the reservoiroutlet 44 through the tank inlet 34. Sufficient head pressure should bemaintained at outlet 44 to permit the flow of water through conduit 42and into tank 32 when the float valve 38 is open.

In the alternative, conduit 42 may connect inlet 34 with anyconventional source of water under pressure such as a hydrant (notshown). It will be obvious, however, that the valve 38 utilized tocontrol the level of water in tank 32 must be operable to close inlet 34against the back pressure from reservoir 40.

With attention to FIG. 2, valve 38 includes a valve seat 46 whichsurrounds inlet 34, and valve element 48 adapted to seat thereon toclose inlet 34. Float 50 is connected to element 48 by lever arms 52 and54 so that as float element 50 rises, lever arm 52, acting throughfulcrum 54, and lever arm 56 will force valve element 48 downwardlyuntil it seats on valve seat 46. Similarly, as the water level in tank32 drops, lever arms 52 and 56 will raise valve element 48 to admitwater through conduit 42 into the tank 32.

The rate of flow of water 58 from tank 32 is controlled by an orifice 60at outlet 36. As is well known, the height of the water in the tank 32and the area of orifice 60 will dictate the rate of flow through outlet36 and conduit 62 to hopper 12.

The rate of flow from tank 52 may be varied by utilizinginter-changeable plates 64 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Plate 64 is receivedin recess 66 formed by coupling 68 at outlet 36. Coupling 68 then isutilized both to connect conduit 62 and tank 32, and to retain plate 64in outlet 36.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate plates 64 and 64' which may alternatively beretained by coupling 68 to provide either orifice 60 or 60' dependingupon the rate of flow desired from the tank. As will be understood avariety of plates may be provided having many different sized orifices.Each plate should bear suitable identification to facilitate selectionof the desired flow rate.

In order to minimize jet action as water 58 passes through orifice 60, avent pipe 70 is provided immediately downstream of plate 64. Vent 70 isintended to minimize low pressure turbulence downstream of orifice 60.

In further reference to FIG. 1, conduit 62 may be of any desired length,and may also have a conventional valve 72 to control flow therethrough.It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that valve 72 may bedisposed immediately downstream of vent 70, or at the end of conduit 62as shown in FIG. 1. Depending upon the individual needs, tank 32 andreservoir 40 may be mounted adjacently on a wagon or platform, (notshown), or reservoir 40 may be disposed at a location remote from tank32. In addition, tank 32 may be disposed over hopper 12 to dispensewater directly into grain 24, and in such case conduit 62 need not bepresent. In addition, conduit 62 should have a larger diameter ascompared to that of orifice 60.

It must be emphasized, however, that the length of conduit 62 and valve72 will influence the flow rate into hopper 12 by fluid friction lossesas water passes therethrough. Therefore, if conduit 62 and valve 72 areutilized the size of orifice 60 in plate 64 will have to be larger thanif conduit 62 and valve 72 are not used.

However, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the area oforifice 60 which will provide the desired flow rate, may be easilycalculated by application of Bernoullis equation. For the purposes ofillustration, if frictionless flow is assumed, and orifice 60 hassufficiently sharp edges to neglect the drag created thereby, thekinetic energy of the water exiting orifice 60 will be equal to thepotential energy at the water level within tank 32. In other words:

ri /2 H wherein: u the linear velocity in feet per second, g theacceleration of gravity in feet per second and H the height of the waterlevel above the orifree in feet. The A of the orifice will then be equalto the mass flow rate q divided by the linear veloc- If a circularorifice is utilized, the diameter D thereof,

in inches, will be q If frictionless flow is not assumed then the areawill have to be increased to compensate for the friction loss in conduit62, and valve 72, and the drag created as the stream of water passesthrough orifice 60 in the well known manner.

With reference to FIG. 5, this invention may be utilized also with aconventional grain auger 74 and its hopper 76. Auger 74 includes a screwconveyor 78 which is driven by a motor (not shown) and disposed within acylindrical housing 80. The upper end of housing 80 terminates in anexit funnel 82. Grain 24' is dumped into hopper 76 by any conventionalmethod. Screw conveyor 78 then draws the grain into housing 80 atentrance 84 and conveys it therethrough. The grain then exits housing 80at funnel 82.

FIG. 5 also shows an alternate embodiment wherein a conventional pump 86is utilized to draw water from a source which may be a reservoir 88,through conduit 90, and feed a controlled rate of flow through conduit92 to hopper 76. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art thateither of the embodiments of this invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 maybe utilized with either a conventional grain elevator, or a conventionalgrain auger. This invention is not intended to be limited to the use ofa particular type of grain conveyor providing the conveyormoves grainfrom a hopper.

6 As will also be obvious to those skilled in the art, in the embodimentof FIG. 5 the head pressure developed by pump 86 will control the flowrate through conduit 92 to hopper 76. Accordingly, in. order toestablish a constant flow rate, it is preferred to utilize a motordriven centrifugal pump, wherein the motor drives the pump impeller. Arheostat may then be used to control the speed of the motor which inturn will control the flow rate into hopper 76 by causing pump 86 topump faster or slower depending upon the power input. Pump 86 may bedisposed externally to a reservoir 88 as shown in FIG. 5, or if desired,pump 86, but not the motor therefor, may be submerged within thereservoir 88.

The following are examples utilizing the concept of this invention withconventional grain augers or grain elevators.

For the purposes of illustration, the Montgomery Ward Farm Catalog(1972) lists three basic types of grain augers. The 4 inch diameterauger (I) as a capacity of 600 bushels per hour; the 5 inch diameterauger (II) has a capacity of 1,000 bushels per hour, and the 6 inchdiameter auger (III) has a capacity of 1,500 bushels per hour. Incomparison, Mohawk Portable Auger Scoops manufactured by the SnowCorporation, Omaha, Neb., have a capacity of 600 bushels per hour withthe 4 inch diameter auger (IV) and 900 bushels per hour with a 5 inchdiameter auger (V). As illustrative of grain elevators, a Montomery Wardportable el evator (VI), when operating at a 35 angle, as stated in the1972 Farm Catalog, has a capacity of 340 bushels per hour.

Assuming that the grain to be moved weighs 56 lbs. per bushel, andassuming it is desirable to add 3 percent moisture thereto based uponevaluation of the present moisture content, Table I illustrates the massflow rate of water to the hopper needed to providethe desired increasein moisture content.

While it is desired to provide the capability for adding from about oneto 6 percent moisture, it has been found that three percent will beneeded in most instances.

To calculate the orifice size for delivering the desired flow rates, itwill be necessary, as above described, to take into consideration theparticular type of conduit and valve utilized therein (if any). However.for the purposes of illustration, assuming frictionless flow and asufficiently short conduit 62 so that the friction head is negligible,and further assuming that the height of the water level H is 4 inches,the diameter D, in inches, of a circular orifice in plate 64 iscalculated as follows:

Table II illustrates the diameter D of an orifice of sufficient size ascalculated by the above equation to provide the flow rates of Table I toadd 3 percent moisture to grain by the above conveyors.

Accordingly, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that aplurality of interchangeable plates 64 may be provided having aperturesfor adding, for example, 1-6 percent moisture for a given capacity augeror elevator. Therefore, after determining the percent of moisture to beadded, the farmer will merely need to select the plate having anaperture of the correct size, insert it in recess 68, and allow water todrain from tank 32 into the hopper as the grain is being moved from thestorage bin to, for example, a truck for transportation to a commercialelevator.

In the event a pump is utilized instead of gravity flow, it isanticipated that the speed of the pump may be var ied in order todeliver, when calibrated, the desired flow rate of water from areservoir corresponding to a predetermined setting of the motor speed.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States letterspatent is:

1. A portable device for use with a portable grain conveyor, saidconveyor having a hopper for receiving grain and means for conveyinggrain from the hopper to a predetermined location, to increase themoisture content of the grain conveyed thereby, said device comprising:

a source of water;

a tank having an outlet located at the bottom portion thereof;

filling means in communication with the interior of said tank and withsaid source of water for admitting water thereto; first control meanscarried by said device for controlling the quantity of water admitted bysaid filling means to said tank and for maintaining the level of waterin said tank substantially at a predetermined height;

second control means carried by said device for permitting only apredetermined rate of flow through the outlet and for directing saidflow of water into the hopper of the grain conveyor, said second controlmeans including a flow regulating means disposed in the outlet anddefining a fluid passage therethrough for communicating fluid from theinterior of said tank through the outlet so that water flowing from saidtank, through the passage in said member, will flow at a predeterminedrate;

said second control means further including a conduit extending fromsaid tank and adapted to be directed downwardly into the hopper; meanssurrounding the outlet for connecting an end of said conduit in sealingengagement to the portion of said tank surrounding the outlet wherebywater communicates from the interior of said tank through the fluidpassage and through said conduit to the hopper at a predetermined rateproportional to the capacity of the conveyor.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of said fluidpassage is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of saidoutlet and the internal cross-sectional area of said conduit.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising vent means mounted on saidconduit adjacent said flow regulating member and extending therethroughfor communicating atmospheric pressure to the interior of said conduitimmediately downstream of the fluid passage.

4. The device of claim 3 further comprising valve means carried by saidconduit for controlling the flow of water therethrough.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said tank has an inlet and said fillingmeans includes conduit means connecting the inlet and said source ofwater for communicating water from said source to the interior of saidtank through said inlet, said first control means comprising:

a valve seat carried by said device in said inlet;

a valve element disposed in said inlet and movable into and out ofengagement with said valve seat responsive to a change in the level ofwater in said tank.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a float member disposed insaid tank; a lever arm connecting said float member and said valveelement; a fulcrum supporting said lever arm and disposed between saidfloat and said valve element so that as the water level in said tankrises said float and lever urge said valve element into engagement withsaid seat, and as the water level in said tank lowers said float andlever urge said valve element out of engagement with said valve seat.

tioned above said hopper.

, UKITILI sun-:5 PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION ent Dated June18,

Inventofls) Lawrence es It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

In Column 5, line 28, "A" should read --area A--.

In Column 6, line 20, "as" should read --has--; line 41,

Flow Rate should read Flow Rate line 65, the equation should read Signedand sealed this 1st day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer 7Commissioner of Patents

1. A portable device for use with a portable grain conveyor, saidconveyor having a hopper fOr receiving grain and means for conveyinggrain from the hopper to a predetermined location, to increase themoisture content of the grain conveyed thereby, said device comprising:a source of water; a tank having an outlet located at the bottom portionthereof; filling means in communication with the interior of said tankand with said source of water for admitting water thereto; first controlmeans carried by said device for controlling the quantity of wateradmitted by said filling means to said tank and for maintaining thelevel of water in said tank substantially at a predetermined height;second control means carried by said device for permitting only apredetermined rate of flow through the outlet and for directing saidflow of water into the hopper of the grain conveyor, said second controlmeans including a flow regulating means disposed in the outlet anddefining a fluid passage therethrough for communicating fluid from theinterior of said tank through the outlet so that water flowing from saidtank, through the passage in said member, will flow at a predeterminedrate; said second control means further including a conduit extendingfrom said tank and adapted to be directed downwardly into the hopper;means surrounding the outlet for connecting an end of said conduit insealing engagement to the portion of said tank surrounding the outletwhereby water communicates from the interior of said tank through thefluid passage and through said conduit to the hopper at a predeterminedrate proportional to the capacity of the conveyor.
 2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the cross-sectional area of said fluid passage issubstantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of said outlet andthe internal cross-sectional area of said conduit.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 further comprising vent means mounted on said conduit adjacentsaid flow regulating member and extending therethrough for communicatingatmospheric pressure to the interior of said conduit immediatelydownstream of the fluid passage.
 4. The device of claim 3 furthercomprising valve means carried by said conduit for controlling the flowof water therethrough.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said tank has aninlet and said filling means includes conduit means connecting the inletand said source of water for communicating water from said source to theinterior of said tank through said inlet, said first control meanscomprising: a valve seat carried by said device in said inlet; a valveelement disposed in said inlet and movable into and out of engagementwith said valve seat responsive to a change in the level of water insaid tank.
 6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a float memberdisposed in said tank; a lever arm connecting said float member and saidvalve element; a fulcrum supporting said lever arm and disposed betweensaid float and said valve element so that as the water level in saidtank rises said float and lever urge said valve element into engagementwith said seat, and as the water level in said tank lowers said floatand lever urge said valve element out of engagement with said valveseat.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet is a port and saidflow regulating means includes a plate detachably mounted in said port,said plate having an aperture therethrough defining a fluid passage,said passage having a predetermined cross-sectional area.
 8. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said tank is positioned above said hopper.